An excellent second-up record is fuelling hopes Gem Song can make his presence felt in the Festival Stakes.

Talented gelding Gem Song will spearhead Kris Lees’ assault on The Hunter.

Kris Lees had already planned a change of tactics with Countofmontecristo ($5.50 on TAB) in tomorrow’s Listed Pioneer Services Rowley Mile – and an awkward barrier draw sealed it!

Kris Lees won last year’s Winter Challenge with Mugatoo and has made an interesting comparison as he seeks to win the Listed event again at Rosehill Gardens tomorrow.

Hong Kong Horse of the Year Beauty Generation made it eight wins in succession when he led all the way to take out the G2 Chairman’s Trophy at Sha Tin on Sunday, capping a huge weekend across Asia for New Zealand bred and sold products.